Welcome to the New Academic Year!

By Varsha Nair, SYBA Journalism


After the summer break St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa is back in the groove of activities. This time round the activities are expected to have an extra dose of quality and enthusiasm as the college enters into its Golden Jubilee year. This historic moment will be marked and commemorated with a special programme on June 27, 2012.

Today, the First Year Bachelor of Arts (FYBA) students had an orientation programme in the college seminar hall. Rev. Dr. Walter De Sa, Principal of the college, welcomed the students and also a few parents those were in attendance. “Discipline and dedication is important and if you want a good future, you will have to work hard,” Fr. Walter said in his message to the students.

Later, the students were enlightened about the history of the college, the facilities and infrastructure that it provides. Various departments under BA introduced their course/subject/paper to the students and also enlightened them on the future prospects in the same field of study.

This year, there's good news for Mass Communication and Journalism students. From this academic year onward, first year Mass Communication and Journalism students will not need to opt of other subjects besides the ones related to Mass Comm. & Journalism. BA in Mass Comm. & BA in Journalism are now full-fledged courses that offer papers right from the first year itself. The students do not have to take up other subjects from the regular elective group.

The college is also a home to numerous clubs and associations that are active round the year. Students are encouraged to be part of such clubs; associations and sports teams to ensure all-round growth of the students. 

Faculty's Say,  Nitin Volvoikar, Asst. Professor

Today we appreciate our graduates no matter where their careers have taken them. If we understand that journalism education is a valuable step into any number of professions, we should not just celebrate the graduates who have gone on to fame (if not fortune) in journalism, but also to those who have established themselves in other allied fields of media as well; as we train students to do journalism not only in print but also in other fields of media.

Infact, the kind of response the Department of Journalism has got over the years is only encouraging, as after getting trained in the industry many of our students undertake higher education in many allied fields, that shows wer are on the right track of encouraging students to pursue knowledge of varied fields and specialize in a particular niche subject.

All this suggests a considerably broader mission for the journalism course of Xavier’s, but it also suggests a huge opportunity for Journalism schools in Goa. The need for this kind of training has never been greater than today. The media industry is on a war footing to expand in Goa, as today many Goan newspapers, tabloids, niche magazines, cable channels and online sites are planning to launch new niche publications/channels/sites.

Journalism is, in most respects, the backbone of the media industry. Therefore many media jobs require some aspect of journalism. It can be exciting, nerve-racking, interesting and at times, very very annoing. But unless you’re a film critic or showbiz correspondent, it’s rarely glamorous.

Yes, many young aspiring journalists presume the media job to be glamorous and jump in the industry for the glamour part of it. But those aspiring ‘Journos’ should think a hundred times before taking up jobs in the media, as the amount of hard work is more than any 9 to 5 job. At the same time its highly rewarding not only in monetary terms; it also helps you to build good contacts in the society, which could last for lifetime.

So, what’s an aspiring journalist to do? Take everything with a grain of salt, and I mean ‘everything’. Industry news, trends, compliments, success, advice, a good bit of rejections and even, regrettably, taking on a few pro-bono assignments (which sounds a lot better than saying ‘I write for free’).

Writing for free isn’t the way to do it, but ultimately may lead to a stronger resume and better job. No one knows the future of media, but i can guarantee the trade of journalism isn’t disappearing any time soon...

              The power of journalism

          The power to make and the power to break....

                                                       By Solandra D'souza, SYBA

To make you laugh with joy or cry with sorrow, to unify to divide, to destroy or help, to entertain and to shock. It will make you feel sad at the news of a person who died, who you never even knew existed in the first place.. That is the kind of power that journalism beholds!

Journalism, is a revolution. It has brought a change in our lives; our thoughts, actions and behavior, all are partially influenced by what we read in newspapers and magazines. It makes us more aware about what is ‘really going on’ rather than merely what ‘seems to be going on’.

Journalism is not all about news and newspapers. It even involves writing articles for entertainment and pleasure which is usually reffered to as ‘soft news’ in the jurnalistic world. Writing an article requires patience, a good command over language and interests. It is an expression of one’s thoughts and feelings, be it anything from fashion, food, education, health to travel and so on.. you write what is in your heart and the way you feel or it makes you feel.  That... is what makes it exciting and differenct!

Writing soft news requires the ability to capture the reader’s heart immediately and give the reader a light getaway from the otherwise hard news. It appeals to the senses and gets you relaxed or excited. Reading about and seeing pictures of a preety red dress or a picture of the lates bike will make you want to get out there and buy it! It has the power to influence and motivate.

Things faraway would not have been impossible to know about and see if not for our news channels and newspapers. Thanks to technology, we can n ow see through the television, things happening miles and miles away and feel like we are actually there. Looking at war zones, seeing people battered and bruised bring tears to our eyes. Seeing cruelty done to animals as well as human beings angers us.

The way it is used and by ‘whom’, makes a huge difference.

In the right and skill-full hand it can be a mightly blessing...

A medium of revolution for a better future!

Solandra D’souza.